Yes, homeowners insurance often covers water damage, but the type of water damage matters. Not all scenarios are treated the same way. If your Seattle-area home suffers from a sudden pipe burst, your policy may cover the repairs. But if the damage is due to a slow leak or flooding from outside, your claim could be denied unless you have extra coverage.

Understanding how water damage is categorized and how insurance companies view each situation can help you prepare and respond effectively.

Types of Water Damage That Are Usually Covered

Most standard homeowners insurance policies will cover damage that is:

Sudden and accidental, such as a burst pipe, broken appliance hose, or accidental overflow
Resulting from covered perils, like a falling object breaking a pipe or accidental fire triggering the sprinkler system
Originating inside the home, not from outside sources like rivers or storms

Examples:

A washing machine overflows and floods your laundry room
A pipe bursts behind your wall and soaks your drywall and flooring
A water heater cracks and leaks overnight, damaging nearby carpet and baseboards

In these cases, your insurance policy typically pays to dry and repair the damage, minus your deductible.

Water Damage That Is Usually Not Covered

There are several water damage scenarios that standard policies will likely not cover:

Flooding from outside sources, such as rising water from rivers, lakes, or heavy rainfall runoff
Gradual leaks, like a slow drip under a sink that causes mold over time
Poor maintenance, including roof leaks that resulted from ignored damage
Sewer backups, unless you’ve added a specific rider to your policy

Seattle homeowners should know that rain-related flooding is not covered under normal home insurance. You’ll need separate flood insurance through FEMA or private insurers if you’re in a flood-prone area.

What About Mold Caused by Water Damage?

Mold caused by a sudden, covered water event is often included in the claim, but many policies cap mold remediation costs or exclude it entirely if caused by long-term leaks or poor maintenance. Mold coverage varies widely by insurer, so it’s important to check your specific policy.

Do Insurance Companies Cover the Source of the Leak?

No, most policies cover the resulting damage, not the actual repair of the cause. For example, if your dishwasher malfunctions and floods the kitchen, the policy may pay for the floor repairs, but not to replace the broken dishwasher.

How We Help with Insurance Claims

At Eco Water Restoration, we work directly with insurance carriers on your behalf. We provide documentation, photos, and detailed estimates to support your claim and reduce the back and forth. Our goal is to make the process as smooth as possible for you, especially in stressful situations.

Get Help Understanding Your Coverage

Water damage insurance coverage can be confusing, especially when time is critical. That’s why we’re here 24/7 to help you navigate it. We’ll inspect the damage, help determine if it’s covered, and handle the restoration work from start to finish.

Call Eco Water Restoration at (253) 204-3646 for expert help with insurance-covered water damage in Seattle, Bellevue, or Tacoma.

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Ezechiel Nistrian

Co-owner at Eco Water Restoration

Ezechiel "Zeke" Nistrian is a committed entrepreneur who has built a reputation for delivering exceptional service and outstanding quality through his leadership at Eco Water Restoration.

Specializing in water, flood, storm, and mold damage restoration, Eco Water Restoration is known for its quick and comprehensive service. The company excels at helping customers navigate the insurance claims process and works tirelessly to restore homes to their original state, making it appear as though the damage never occurred.

Zeke places customer satisfaction at the center of everything he does. His hands-on approach and dedication to providing excellent service are frequently mentioned in glowing reviews, where clients praise his attention to detail and commitment to quality. For Zeke, true fulfillment comes from knowing that he has helped clients restore and enhance their homes, providing peace of mind during stressful times.

If you are in need of reliable restoration services, Zeke Nistrian and Eco Water Restoration are the perfect choice. With a focus on customer care and superior quality, Zeke and his team are ready to deliver the best service and guide you through the process with professionalism and expertise.

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